The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1887-07-17
AEhGAzINE MhNUsCRIPrs
An Editor Espiains How they are Head .,H
Rejected or Accepted.

been matter OF curiosity with those Authors
whose relations with tho editorial manage,
curtain. The subject being one that Interests
hundreds whose brain work hns found Us way
b nen ' a hands 81 magaIin nt, editors have
terview from the editor Of one Of New YorEs
most popular magazines For obvious rca-
| Is withheld. Tho views expressed are, how
ever. those oil one whose long experience as a
magazinist e9tltle them to being received with
| every mark OF respect.
| viii you cxrlaln, to me the methods by
received = was the irst 'S query Ty'A 1'''''''
We'll. as rule. every manuscript sent TO
US Is first given cursory examination in our
merit al all it IL sent 10 one Of our critics "
| which may say We have AZ many as twelve,
| all tho way from two 10 six weeks, according
| to tho length and character of the article or
tho n numb q cnhtri6u;i9ns IN the hands Of
matter which ~ receive q not worthy Of tho
routine opera,Iyn; and such is inmediateiyro.
turned to The author with polite note Of dec
lination-that Is. II the contribution is ac-
sompainied " Sufficient postage Tor return Il
aside until some further communication is re-.
ceiyed from the writer 1t Is not right for an
sSsn h rs2a 6aaSs to be re-
closed. There are a great many persons who
arc unable to see the Justice of this but II some
received ut the Office OF a magazine they would
soon see the fairness Of such rule. Take for
hnss is q Rad pa saf e suo
not found acceptable but omits to enclose
would cost us 80 or So, cents POSTAGE:
tribe. Of course. but Just consider what
SIMILAR Which into Soe
Do we eyer destroy manuscripts? No, for / do
not think Il right. except when manuscript,
for by the author. But otherwise. do not be-
lieye II ia the correct thing to do. for the man
which the author has and for us to destroyir
simply because he or she fails to accompany it
with Sufficient postage for return might de-.
Il to some other periodical where II might ind
more favor than with US; Some authors make
simply because it happens to be rejected blythe
first magazine t6 which il is submitted. Why
clined poems and articles that have found
ready acceptance with other magazines. Why
T. thisp simply because d each maEazine ha;
readers. and what is suitable for one may not
be for another.
of the critic is to blame for the loss Of an arti.
Gle to ono magazine which proves q gain to
aGine understsnds even better than the editor,
sometimes. what class Of articles or poems will
find most favor, with the constituency OF the
labor than mon, Let an article, or poem have
s sySf e ha qsn Is w
that certain something which the critic her
5 s s1rn MS Min n sda IsaS t.
pefhap s the be iolioWins week Be eagerly
author condemns the literary Judgment Of the
rs. critic and points as evidence to TIE &C.
OF si efe G ie vet
to m nteigent mind, tits very simple"
DO 9qth1rs question the iuds
"Oh yes; 1t frequently happens that writer's
dispute the justice Of ths critics verdict upon
of do sffs Tff2 Rs s eSues ee ms
but one which we mover accede to. for it would
US in al
which our time will not permit Us to bestow
u'I It i is a Well-known fact that readers and
editors have declined the masterpieces Of the
4rd and mEht BE- 9Ha ob6
son Crusoo were both rejected dozen times
before they were finally accepted Thhaes s
@aiden efforts met similar fate: Motleys
Dutch Republic was seven times returned with
young young and aspiring litterateurs to lose heart
because their contributions are at first re.
are unkind and heartless. with their manu-
scripts: This is not SO. or course. sometimes
a nn toF
Tor every deelination; For I, contribution .E i
Els fspr ta sa'0f 10 Wy anu i''
considered when. it is being read. and Will nos
well-known name than to one written by an
II will not deny that in some cases the name
may carry certain degree Of weight when
It without reforring il to to the critic This Is
but natural. think. great many people
nrtt ma
ton. emily the merit. Technically, this is cor
rect. but that principle cannot always be I'D
example Had they attached to them an obscure
name they would have been rejected by an s sd Il
they
same. may be said Of the writings Of some
prominent authors in a. this country: o..,,o .,
authors9 no some, yes; to others, no. Here
everything depends upon the name. -oo H W:
q short story, when that same story. written
than s25. There is a mistaken Impression that
pensation. Everything depends upon the name
and the character Of tho article; 1t would be
unknown writer the same compensation for .
story as it would to Mr.. Howells OF MIR. James,
There Is q popular impression abroad that
cliques exist in the offices OF the modern mag
azines, and that the articles Of those fortunate
worth. Is this so Z"
mo magazine can afford to support any
clique of writer's What forms the general
opinion that there is cliquelsm sometimes IS
simply this. The readers soc the contributions
OF one or two authors constantly In nearly Early
every Issue of q magazine. and the impression
Of clidueism Is Immediately formed. me
plain, simple reason Of the continual anpeat,
ance OF one author in the same magazine IS
that the character Of subjects and the manner
of discussing them find favor with the readers.
This tho editor very quickly perceives, and he
sees II to his interest to obtain and print as
many contributions from that particular au;
thor as he can. 1t is moneyto the editor anu
II Il for that he strives and tolls; sSn's in"
What class Of literature is most remgg,ne era
tive and sought after by magazines Was
asked. a..
"Short stories. by all means. They are me
most lucrative, and ore always sure OF accs rPp
anee, that Is, il meritorious, Of coarse oo Lme
American short-story writer IL YET 10 cnI;H,
and every magazine editor Is Watching iqr h.s
arrival. True, the American short ftorE is s
rung in the ladder Is still vacant ana Is wahhss
for an occupant. Some people lmaslhc me- a
the art OF writing short stories is an easy Gse'
and can be acquired without much Hlln n15